New varieties, expanded community plantings and a bumper crop make 2026 a year to remember
Lake Placid, FL (June 24, 2026) – Summer in Central Florida is bursting with color for the 35th edition of the Caladium Festival from July 24-26, 2026. Thanks to an excellent 2026 growing season, Lake Placid, located just south of Sebring, remains the heartbeat of the global caladium industry, supplying the vast majority of the world’s caladium bulbs.
“The Caladium Festival is one of the Sebring area’s most unique summer traditions, and 2026 is shaping up to be an exceptional year,” said Casey Hartt of Visit Sebring. “With a strong crop, brand-new University of Florida varieties making their debut, and more community plantings than ever before, this is the year to come see what makes Lake Placid the Caladium Capital of the World.”
A highlight of this year’s festival is the debut of three new University of Florida caladium varieties: Lady Bug, a striking fancy-leaf red; Pretty’N’Pink, an elegant fancy-leaf pink; and Pink A Boo, a beautiful strap-leaf variety. Growers will have these and all-time favorites available for gardening fans to admire and purchase throughout the weekend.
During the festival, visitors can experience the beauty of Florida’s famous caladium fields on a guided bus tour led by a caladium grower, who will share firsthand knowledge about planting, harvesting, and the science behind these colorful heart-shaped plants. Tours depart from the Lake Placid Woman’s Club. Advance reservations are $15 per tour; day-of tickets are $18.
This year, the caladium colors are spreading well beyond the festival grounds. Stuart Park, the Lake Placid Chamber office, the Woman’s Club, and the pots and garden areas along Lake Placid’s Main Street have all been planted with caladiums, and community planting efforts are expected to be greater than ever in 2026. Caladium fields reach their peak beauty in late July through September, making festival weekend the perfect time to witness these spectacular heart-shaped plants in their full glory.
The Caladium Festival remains free to attend and offers a full weekend of family-friendly fun. Alongside the botanical attractions, the event features a car and bike show, live music, a floral and art competition, local vendors, and much more.
Caladium enthusiasts will have even more to look forward to this season. The Sebring area is launching its first-ever Garden Week, September 8-13, 2026, incorporating Classic Caladiums’ Annual Open House in Avon Park, FL on September 11 and 12 alongside garden, nature, wellness, and agricultural experiences throughout the county. More information will be available later this summer. For more information, please visit https://www.caladiumfestival.org or contact Tanya Churchmuch at tanya@muchpr.com or Casey Hartt at Casey@visitsebring.com.
